Chief Rabbi of Tzfat (Safed), Rabbi Levi Bistritzky, died of heart failure this morning at the age of 53. He was hospitalized several days ago after suffering a heart attack.

Rabbi Bistritzky immigrated to Israel from Russia 36 years ago at the behest of the Lubavitcher Rebbe. Rabbi Shlomo Chadad, head of the Tzfat Religious Council, told Arutz-7 today that Rabbi Bistritzky was highly respected by the people of Tzfat and was very active in community events. He was also involved in a rabbinical organization called “Pikuach Nefesh” (Saving Lives), which actively opposed the Oslo Accords, The Wye River Agreement, and the 2000 Camp David talks.